From Puritan Pioneers to Liberty's Defenders

 

This is of our remarkably deep Connecticut pedigrees—four generations spanning over two centuries, carrying our direct family line from an early Puritan founder through one of colonial New England's most dramatic witch trials, all the way to a father and son who took up arms together in the Revolutionary War.

Chronological Overview

Gen 1: Andrew Benton Arrives & Settles CT

1620–1683

Emigrated from Essex, England; original proprietor in Milford and Hartford, CT. Married Anne Cole following her prominent role in the 1662 Hartford witch trials.

Gen 2: Hannah Benton & Move to Haddam

1678–1771

Daughter of Andrew and Anne. Married Benjamin Smith and established the family down-river in Haddam, Middlesex County.

Gen 3: Daniel Smith — Patriot Private

1716–1793

Grandson of the founder. Served as a Private in the 7th Connecticut Regiment during the American Revolution.

Gen 4: Lt. William Smith — Officer in the Revolution

1748–1824

Son of Daniel. Served as an officer (Lieutenant) in the Connecticut Line, fighting alongside his father for American independence.

Generational Breakdown & Historical Context

Generation 1: Andrew Benton (1620–1683)

• Origins & Arrival: Baptized in Epping, Essex, England, Andrew migrated to New England during the Great Puritan Migration in the late 1630s. By 1639, he was awarded Parcel #64 in the original allotment of Milford, Connecticut.
• Civic Roles: Admitted as a freeman in 1665, Andrew moved his family up to Hartford. He served as a juror, fence viewer, and collector of the minister's rates.
• The Witchcraft Connection: After his first wife (Hannah Stocking) passed away, Andrew married Anne Cole (~1673). In 1662—30 years before Salem—young Anne Cole suffered violent seizures and accused her neighbors, Nathaniel and Rebecca Greensmith, of practicing witchcraft. The Greensmiths were convicted and executed. Remarkably, in 1668, Andrew Benton purchased the confiscated Greensmith home and land in Hartford, where he and Anne later lived and raised their children.

• Burial: Andrew lies in Hartford's historic Ancient Burying Ground behind First Church. His red sandstone headstone survives today: "Andrew Benton aged 63 YEARS. HE DYED IVLY 31 ANO 1683."

Generation 2: Hannah Benton (1678/79–1771)

• Life & Legacy: Born in Hartford to Andrew and Anne, Hannah married Benjamin Smith (1664–1763).
• The Haddam Branch: The couple settled in Haddam, Middlesex County, along the Connecticut River. Living to the age of 92, Hannah witnessed Connecticut transform from a vulnerable colonial frontier into a politically mature region on the brink of revolution.

Revolutionary War Records: Father & Son Patriots

When war broke out in 1775, both our 7th great-grandfather (Daniel Smith) and 6th great-grandfather (Lt. William Smith) answered the call. Standing side by side in the Connecticut defenses, their records reflect two distinct roles in the Continental effort.

Patriot	Rank & Unit	Key Service Details
Daniel Smith (1716–1793)	Private, 7th Connecticut Regiment	Served in Col. Charles Webb’s 7th CT Regiment (later 7th CT Line under Col. Heman Swift). Though in his late 50s/60s, senior militia members were crucial for coastal defense along Long Island Sound and guarding vital supply lines on the Connecticut River.
Lt. William Smith (1748–1824)	Lieutenant, Connecticut Line	Served as an officer in the Connecticut Continental Line. Documented in the U.S. Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files. As a lieutenant, he led men in regional defense operations and campaign maneuvers.

Note: There are no War of 1812 records for this specific direct chain, as Lt. William Smith was 64 years old when that war began in 1812, though younger cousins and nephews in Haddam served.

The Brainerd Connection: Lt. William Smith married Esther Brainerd (1747–1816), daughter of Heber Brainerd and Esther Markham. The Brainerds were one of the premier founding families of Haddam/East Haddam, heavily involved in early civic leadership, local militia, and ecclesiastical affairs.

From Puritan Pioneers to Liberty's Defenders: The Benton-Smith Legacy

Celebrating America 250

As America marks its Semiquincentennial (America 250), the story of Andrew Benton and his descendants captures the essential spirit of the American experiment.

In the 1630s, Andrew Benton crossed the Atlantic to clear timber, plow stony soil, and lay down the civic roots of original Connecticut towns like Milford and Hartford. For over a century, his descendants built farms, established trade along the Connecticut River, and nurtured deep community bonds in Haddam.

When the struggle for independence ignited in 1775, that 140-year investment in the soil bore its ultimate fruit. Daniel Smith, standing near his 60th year, and his son, Lieutenant William Smith, did not hesitate. Together—father as private, son as commissioned officer—they stepped forward to defend the self-governance their ancestors had built brick by brick. 

Their story isn't just a pedigree; it is the 250-year arc of ordinary men transforming a wilderness into a free republic.

Thank you Gemini AI for your wisdom and research assistance. -- Drifting Cowboy